An Assault, Thefts and Disputes from the Scarsdale Police
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Missing Jewels: On 11/17 a Cooper Road woman reported that approximately $15,000 in jewelry was missing from her home. She originally noticed that her jewelry bags were empty on October 12 but thought she might have misplaced the items or left them at her summer home. Missing were a moonstone ring, a black diamond necklace, three pairs of gold earrings, and diamond stud earrings. She said the items were taken sometime between August 25 and October 12.
Assault: A Scarsdale woman reported that a 68 year-old Hoboken man came to her home for dinner on November 11 and arrived in an agitated state. She invited him to sit down and relax but instead he became enraged and grabbed the woman by the throat and began to squeeze tightly. She told him to back off and he grabbed her shoulders and put his face to her forehead "in an aggressive manner." She began to feel pain her right eye and he finally let go. After he let go and she noticed that she was bleeding from a cut above her right eye. He offered to take her to the hospital but she told him to leave. She told him never to return again. She did not wish to press charges but did not want him to contact her again. Later that night he called and asked about her eye. She made the report to the police the following day and did not wish to be taken to the hospital but said she would see her own doctor.
Identity Thefts: An Axtell Road woman went to the cash machine on November 8 and found that she had insufficient funds to make a withdrawal. Since she knew she should have funds in her account the bank put her in touch wit the Chase Fraud Department who found that someone had written a $4,200 check against her account. Chase determined that the check was fraudulent and froze the account.
A Park Road man reported that someone had filed a false tax return using his social security number. He discovered the fraud when he went online to file his return and was rejected because a return had already been filed using his personal information. He reported the incident to police on 11/16.
Stolen Ink Cartridges: A woman stole $1,451 worth of computer printer ink cartridges on the morning of 11/14. As the woman exited the store the security alarm was activated and a woman was seen leaving the store with a large Hallmark shopping bag. The manager then noticed that 32 ink cartridges were missing and the security devices had been removed. Police reviewed video surveillance and saw the same woman enter the store without the shopping bag and leave the store with the bag filled with merchandise. The store manager said that other CVS stores have had similar thefts on print cartridges.
Missing rental car: A Madison Road man said that he went to the Hertz Rental Car office at 865 Scarsdale Avenue at 4 pm on Thursdays 11/14 and rented a 2013 Hyundai Elantra four door sedan. He said he would come back at 10 pm to pick up the car. However, when he came back late that night the car was gone. The man had never driven the car or given anyone else permission to pick it up. He reported it as stolen.
Graffiti: Gold graffiti was spray painted on two stop signs – one on Old Lyme Road and the other on Normandy Lane. The damage was found on the morning of November 14. A "Children at Play" sign at the intersection of Oxford and Park Roads was spray painted with silver paint. The damage was also discovered on the morning of 11/14. In addition a street sign at the intersection of Penn Road and Franklin Road was spray painted in gold as well.
Harassed: A divorce lawyer reported that she received a threatening email from her client's son on November 14. The email said that the attorney had "ruined his family
and that he would "come after her at some point." The lawyer contacted her client who did not believe the email was sent by her son and suspected that someone else had used his email address to send it. The lawyer asked for an order of protection against the person she suspected had sent the email.
Elder Care:
A Ridgedale Road woman came to police headquarters on November 12 to express her concerns about the care of an elderly man in the neighborhood. She claimed that health aides were providing improper treatment and care. Police asked her to complete paperwork but she refused to do so. She has limited contact with the man per the instructions of his legal guardian.
A home healthcare aid called police on the morning of November 13 when she went to a Fox Meadow Road home to check on her client and he failed to answer the door. The Scarsdale Fire Department got into the house through a second floor window and found the man asleep in his bed. The man was taken to the emergency room for examination of injuries that appeared to have resulted from a fall.
The husband of an elderly woman on Gaylor Road called police on the night of 11/13 to say that his wife needed help getting up after a fall. Police helped her up and asked if she wanted medical attention. She declined further help.
Disputes:
An occupational therapist called police on 11/13 about a dispute she was having with Fenimore Road residents about the fee for her services. The residents felt that the therapist was taking advantage of them and the therapist said she would follow-up in court.
A Morris Lane man called police on the afternoon of November 17 to say that someone had parked their car in his driveway. Police found the owner of the car, asked him to move it and gave him a warning for improper parking.
Fire: Police put out a small fire in an oven at a Crane Road home on the morning of November 14. The housekeeper called police when she was cleaning the over and it went up in flames. The homeowner was notified.
Alarm: A Taunton Road woman called police at 8:30 pm on 11/14 when an alarm sounded in her house. Police found that the burglar alarm had gone off. The woman said she had moved in 11 months ago and was not aware that the house had a burglar alarm.
Jewelers:
An Eastchester man came to police on the morning of 11/15 to complain about a transaction he had at Holsten Jeweler's a year and a half ago. He claimed that he dropped off some items for an appraisal and when he came back, some of the jewelry was not returned. However, police spoke to Holsten's who explained that the man had brought the jewelry to them to be sold. Holsten's returned what was not sold and said they had a check for the man for the balance of the items.
Police were also called about a dispute at another jewelers – Valnetini Estates Inc, on Garth Road. At noon on November 15 Sandra Henry of Hartsdale and Debra Lindsay of White Plains called police after they had a disagreement with the jeweler and he locked them into the store. Mr. Joong-Kun Park claimed that the exit door had a safety feature to prevent people from exiting the store. By the time police arrived, the two women were outside.
Noise: A Christie Place resident called police at 11 pm on November 16 to complain about yelling and loud music coming from an event at Chat American Grill. Police went to Chat where a wedding was taking place. They asked the manager to keep down the noise and lower the volume of the music.
Homeless? A Greenacres woman called police on the afternoon of November 17 when she spotted a man at the intersection of Greenacres and Walworth Avenues walking down the street barefoot and wrapped in a blanket. She thought he might need assistance.
Missing Plate: A Montrose Road man reported a missing license plate. He parked his 2013 Honda Accord in his driveway on November 16 and the next morning found that the front license plate was gone.
Arrest: Police followed Juan Ibarra of New Rochelle at 6:44 pm on 11/15 after their scanner revealed the car he was driving had a suspended registration due to a lapse in insurance. When he saw he was being followed, Ibarra made an illegal u-turn on East Parkway and then went through a red light. Police removed the plates from the car and issued Ibarra traffic summons' for driving with a suspended registration, failure to stop at a red light and for making an improper u-turn. The license plates were removed from the car.
Pedestrian Death at Hartsdale Train Station Causes Widespread Delays on Metro North
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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(Updated 11/13 at 11:20 am) A fatality on the train tracks at the Hartsdale Train Station around 7:55 am this morning (Tuesday 11/12) paralyzed service during the morning commute. A southbound train hit a man on the tracks near the parking lot that runs along the Pipeline, just south of the station. The victim was identified as Bradley Ewing, age 43 of Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn. According to the Westchester County Medical Examiner the manner of death was suicide and Ewing died from "blunt force trauma of the body with multiple skeletal fractures, laceration of organs and hemorhhages" after he jumped in front of the moving train. A commenter on Scarsdale10583 indicated that Ewing was an ER nurse. (see below) Ewing may have recently been living in Hartsdale. It was snowing heavily at the time of the accident and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ewing was killed by a southbound train that left the Southeast station at 6:49 am and was scheduled to arrive at Grand Central at 8:24 am. Thousands of commuters were stranded for hours inside that train as well as on other trains headed north and south on the Harlem line as officials investigated the incident and cleared the tracks. Power to the third rail had to be shut off to both the north and southbound tracks.
According to an 11:00 am report from Marjorie Anders at the MTA, people who were on the train that struck the "trespasser," as the MTA called him, were stuck on the train for hours. The medical examiner did not arrive until 9:55 am and the train that hit the victim was held until his arrival. The examiner has not released a report as of yet.
Anders said, "People aboard the incident train had to wait from 7:55 am when the incident occurred until 10:25 a.m. when a transfer was complete. An empty train was brought along side and the people were escorted across a metal plank from one train to the other. Four crewmembers were in the doorways to guide and assist passengers across in single file. No other trains were moving while this evacuation was underway."
Here's what happened to people on other trains at the time of the incident:
- Two southbound trains were annulled at North White Plains and two southbound trains were held at White Plains. They are now on the move 90 minutes late.
- Three northbound trains (reverse peak) were annulled at Crestwood and turned south again because they couldn't get through.
- Two more never left Grand Central and other trains also were delayed.
The area was deluged with police and emergency vehicles and siren could be heard for miles. After the initial investigation, MTA Police allowed power to be restored to a single track and some service resumed at 8:40 with significant residual delays.
A Scarsdale resident who was stuck on the train for an hour today said, "It made for a lousy commute - I was delayed 1 hour in White Plains. Metro North kept us informed and did their best. Just a sad situation..."
Election Humor: Join the (Political) Party
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Election time is drawing nigh. Before you hit the polls, brush up on your political vocab—Scarsdale-style!
Dimocrat – Someone who feels that if Scarsdale's land barons are the only ones who are allowed to install generators, the entire village should just sit in the dark.
Auto-crat – The jerk who parked his car at a 45-degree angle, taking up two precious spaces in the C-Town lot.
Three-publican – Someone who secretly wishes there were more places in Scarsdale to drown the day's aggravations with a nice cold mojito.
Lawn Noam – Person who sticks lots of "NOAM BRAMSON FOR COUNTY EXECUTIVE" signs on his yard.
Tee-party member – That annoying dude you spy enjoying himself on the Saxon Woods Golf Course while you're stuck in commuter traffic on the Hutch.
Majority whip – The crowd that's always in front of you at Starbucks, demanding elaborately frothed caramel-ribbon cappuccinos, when you're trying to order a black coffee and still catch your train.
Buypartisan – A person who gets most of her clothes from Great Stuff...but (shhh!) can't resist a good sale at Target.
Camp-pain manager – The friend who talks you down when you get the five-figure early-enrollment bill for your child's summer sleepaway program.
Left (or right)-wing activist - Someone who feels that Scarsdale's geese should roam and poop as they please.
Income-bent – An individual so intent on maximizing her cash flow that she allegedly grows enough pot to supply every aging hippy from here to Hastings.
Dark Horse candidate - Anyone seeking elegant knick-knacks that suggest a bon vivant lives in their home, instead of rowdy children whose fingers are permanently dyed Cheetos-orange.
Fill-ibusters – Folks who queued up at the Mobil Station in Heathcote during Hurricane Sandy, even though their tank was still more than half full.
Pun-dit – Local writer with a compulsive desire to make awful plays on words.
Boo-sterism: Loudly praising your child's Halloween window-painting contest entry, in hopes of swaying any nearby judges.
Deborah Skolnik is a Greenacres mother of two and the Content Director for Myron Corporation, a large business-gifts firm in Maywood, New Jersey. She is proud of her daughter Clara who took first place in her age group in the window-painting contest, despite the fact that she did not engage in boo-sterism!
Glitches on Common App Causes Problems For Early Decision Applicants
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- Written by Marie Ceske
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Every year, seniors endure the stress of applying to college: figuring out which schools they like best, writing essays for the Common Application and college supplements, and collecting and sending their information to potential schools. This fall, students applying early to colleges have even more stress due to the new, glitchy Common App system.
This year, the Common App was completely restructured. However, it was rolled out without testing, causing many problems for applicants. As SHS senior Dana Goldstein stated, "I was under the impression that the intention of the new Common App was to further utilize technology to make an even more universal and accessible app; however, it was really poorly executed ... - a huge mistake in my opinion." These problems have caused the Common App to become almost less accessible because of issues such as scrambled words after pasting text, inaccurate word counts, poorly phrased questions, an extremely slow uploading process, and error pages after sending documents. This process became so frustrating that SHS senior Alexander Lin remarked, "I just sat there for a moment, contemplated screaming and just not applying to college at all."
In addition to changes to the process, there were changes to the actual questions on the application. However, this does not appear to be as bothersome because since seniors are applying for the first time, they have not seen the questions from prior years. As SHS senior Carina Spiro stated, "I don't feel like it's affected me any differently because I just wrote about what I wanted to write about and molded it to fit the question I chose." There are many options to choose from when writing the Common App essay, and the essay change seems to be having the least effect on students.
Parents and the faculty at SHS have been a big help to students as they struggle through the application process. As Alexander Lin stated, "My dean and all my teachers have encouraged me and kept my head above water during this entire process." While there isn't so much that deans and teachers can do to help fix these problems, an important part of their jobs is making students aware that they are not alone. As SHS Dean Matthew Sweeney said, "It's not just Scarsdale students, it's happening all across the country. When students realize it's not just them, it helps them feel better." This awareness is an important part of relieving stress for students and assuring that everything that's possible is being done. The Common App has even been sending daily updates to guidance counselors about these issues and how they are being addressed.
The Common App's problems have taken up a lot of unnecessary hours and have prevented students from doing other activities. However, some students do feel positive about their applications being done on time. Dana Goldstein commented, "The process has been very proactive-- almost everyone is ready to apply at least a week before their deadlines. "
Admissions officers have been sympathetic as well. Cornell University's Undergraduate Admission's website posted the following notice: "The transition to the new online Common Application (CA4) has been challenging for students and counselors. We understand your worries and we are committed to working with you through this process." The moved the due date for early decision applications back to November 8.
And Cornell is not the only school that has responded. The Daily Beast reported that 46 schools have moved back the deadline for early decision applications due to issues with the website. An article published on November 1 explains some of the problems with the online application that is used by 517 colleges and universities: "The website is giving you timeouts. You can't copy and paste from Microsoft Word. You have no idea whether your school has an essay supplement, and it's not accepting your form of payment. And if you're thinking of just throwing in the towel and mailing your application the old-fashioned way, don't even bother—most schools don't even accept paper applications anymore."
The extended deadline will be helpful to students who need extra time; however, this extension will slow down the admissions process and put colleges behind schedule for processing applications and making decisions.
It is hopefully just a matter of time before the Common App fixes these problems, hopefully in time to accommodate the thousands of applicants who will file applications for regular decision in December. Alison Melnick agrees, "I think the Common App is trying really hard to ease the stress, but I think no matter what it's going to be stressful." Therefore, there is only so much the Common App can do. However, despite the problems, many people are still in favor of using this tool to apply to college. As Dean Sweeney stated, "Overall [the Common App] is still a very good resource for students and colleges."
Here are the essay questions offered as part of the Common App:
- Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
- Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?
- Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
- Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?
- Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
Former Mayor Levitt Flisser: Candidate for County Legislature
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Scarsdale's former Mayor Dr. Miriam Levitt Flisser is running for Westchester County Legislator. She is vying for the seat currently held by Bill Ryan and will face candidate Ben Boykin in the election on Tuesday November 5. This Thursday, October 24, the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale will host a candidates' forum at Scarsdale Village Hall at 7:30 pm. Come out to meet thecandidates and hear their views.
We posed pertinent questions about County issues to Dr. Flisser and here are her responses:
Though 20% of our local taxes are paid to Westchester County, many in Scarsdale are not aware of what the County Government does here in the Village. Can you tell our readers how the County impacts Scarsdale and what changes we would see if you are elected?
The most extensive example of County and Village cooperation now visible is the replacement of the deteriorated Crane Road Bridge, Exit 12 on the Bronx River Parkway. The project, funded by the County, paid the Village about $900,000 for parcels of Village land needed for bridge supports, fairly assessed by an independent assessor. Scarsdale is using the $900,000 for non-tax revenue, mainly road re-paving in much needed areas. In addition, the Village's merchant parking lot is on loan for construction staging until the project is completed.
The County Government also paid for about half of the functional (and beautiful) Fox Meadow Drainage basin project that cost $3.1 million. Unfortunately, Scarsdale failed to receive County matching grants for the Sheldrake Drainage project. This is an area where our County Legislator can make a big difference.
Scarsdale also uses County services such as the Emergency Dispatch System, to increase the efficiency and responsiveness.
What is your view on shared services among municipalities and how would that affect Scarsdale Village Government?
Scarsdale currently uses County Services (such as the Emergency Dispatch System) to increase efficiency and quality in our daily operations. The County's emergency preparedness plans protect us all, including the Ready Westchester Special Needs Registry, which protects residents who may need rescue in the event of major disaster. I worked on developing this system as the Scarsdale liaison during its inception. You may sign up for yourself, or a relative, here: https://secure05.westchestergov.com/specialneeds/
Scarsdale can benefit from shared services while protecting our community's investment in infrastructure, and maintaining our high standards for service.
For example, as Police Commissioner I worked closely with the Scarsdale Police Department, which already has policies and procedures in place to cooperate with the county and contiguous police departments. The Scarsdale Police Department regularly cooperates with White Plains and New Rochelle, among others to apprehend suspects in crimes. However, there is no substitute for local policing and municipalities value law enforcement that knows neighborhoods and local ordinances.
The Scarsdale Fire Department, for which I served as Fire Commissioner, as a matter of protocol, provides shared fire and rescue services to other municipalities and on occasion has called on other neighboring fire departments.
As a County Legislator, I would be open to proposals to improve productivity and reduce costs. Difficult economic times and the need to keep government expenses under control have raised the priority of shared services.
An EPA lawsuit has charged that Water District #1 is not in compliance with the Safe Water Drinking Act. What do you plan to do to address this issue? Who will pay for the new water treatment infrastructure?
As Mayor and Trustee, I was closely involved with water issues in Scarsdale. In fact, Scarsdale began issuing an annual report describing the quality of water in 2010. Scarsdale's water comes from the New York City Water Supply System to the Reeves Newsom Station via a pipeline belonging to Scarsdale, Mount Vernon, White Plains and Yonkers (more shared services), also known as Westchester Water District #1.
The water is treated with fluoride, chlorine, water pH adjustment with caustic soda and the addition of orthophosphate prior to distribution. Relatively recent EPA regulations require that water be treated with ultraviolet light, which is an advanced procedure, to remove Cryptosporidium. The County informed the EPA in 2011 that it would not be able to meet the April 2012 deadline for a number of reasons, including the $100 million county expense to redirect water from Kensico Reservoir.
The EPA and Justice Department lawsuit followed HUD's most recent rejection of Westchester County's Assessment of Fair and Affordable Housing and the County received no notification from EPA that the delay was problematic.
While we await the outcome of this additional legal assault by the federal government against Westchester County, the County, White Plains and Scarsdale have concluded that the water is free of Cryptosporidium and is safe to drink. No cases of illness relating to Cryptosporidium have been reported.
Westchester recently lost out on $7.4 million in community development grants because the county failed to comply with the terms of the affordable housing settlement. Do you think these funds are lost? Is there anything the County can do to recoup them?
Unfortunately these funds are lost due to the federal government's fiscal year and the court ruling. HUD has been using community development grants as weapon to try to coerce Westchester County Government to acquiesce to HUD's claims of discriminatory zoning. This is another example of the federal government imposing its vast resources – thanks to our taxes – to try to force us to comply with their radical views on housing.
HUD has rejected eight of Westchester County's filings on affordable housing compliance because the County will not give in to HUD's demand that Westchester County accuse its municipalities of discriminatory zoning laws. As a result, Westchester's poorest children are suffering from lack of lead abatement funds.
Shockingly, among the grants withheld are Lead Abatement Funds for our poorest communities; an issue which is critical to pediatricians like myself. Children who suffer from lead poisoning are condemned to a lifetime of significantly lower cognition, and carry these burdens forever. No amount of affordable housing can ameliorate the harm done from lead poisoning in a young child.
One must question the motivations of an agency that does not respond to this critical local situation.
What is your position on the Women's Equality Act and a woman's right to choose?
I am a pediatrician, a mother, and grandmother of four. As a licensed physician, I always comply with and support all NY State medical regulations; I maintain the strictest confidentiality, and provide compassionate care to all families who come to me for help.
What is your position on gun control ? Do you propose to limit gun sales in Westchester?
I support meticulous compliance with all existing firearms regulations and safety programs. In addition, allow me to use my medical experience to point out that it is the failures of current mental health programs that are at the foundation of gun violence and other criminal events that have tragically impacted our extended community. I will fight to keep our families and communities safe.
What past accomplishments are you most proud of? How will you use what you learned to make improvements in Westchester County?
My four years as a Trustee and two years as Mayor of Scarsdale were marked by many accomplishments and challenges.
As a public servant, I strive to solve problems, prevent problems through anticipatory policies and maintain a citizen-run government that is responsive and fair. My rule, "Miriam's Rule": "When a person emails you, respond with an email; when they call, return the call; and if they write, write them back." During my tenure as Mayor, I sent over 180,000 messages, never missed a meeting and never ventured more than 25 miles from Scarsdale because I had the responsibility of being the chief elected official of a community where I have lived for 38 years.
Hurricane Sandy demanded a tremendous municipal response. Our emergency response team met twice a day in the new Public Safety Headquarters and spent innumerable hours on the phone with Con Edison advocating for services. Although the Village was severely hurt by loss of power, Village residents who had working phones were able to receive emergency community notification calls. Unfortunately, Scarsdale was not deemed a priority by Con Edison and our power was out for an extended period of time. We held community meetings to inform residents of what was going on, we powered traffic lights with emergency generators and we opened the library to extended hours as a warming, computer and recharging center.
In the wake of Sandy, the Village Board enacted new code for the installation of permanent generators, which the Village Board had opposed for years due to noise levels. The Emergency Notification System, which I spearheaded has had many benefits for residents, not the least of which is providing a quick, efficient and inexpensive way to notify villagers of important changes, such as reducing water usage during droughts.
The accomplishment of which I am most proud is the installation of the Fox Meadow Drainage Basin, otherwise known as the rain garden. It has provided residents in the area with much needed reduction of flooding. At the end of my term as Mayor, the Board began planning for another flood abatement project in the Sheldrake area.
As Scarsdale residents know, I am unafraid to tackle tough issues. During my tenure as Mayor, the Board adopted a model zoning code that complies with HUD's model code. The Board worked hard to adopt model zoning that includes affordable housing without compromising the zoning code that protects the quality of life in Scarsdale.
Other projects that I championed were the planned modernization of the Reeves Newsom Pumping Station and the modernization of the Ardsley Station, which turned out to be prescient when the pump failed this fall, but was quickly replaced due to the planning in place.
Lastly, during my term as Mayor, the Village began a village-wide tax revaluation. Although I was not in favor of the revaluation in the beginning, as a result of community support presented by village residents I concluded that the "reval" would restore property tax fairness.
Personally, I'm most proud of my three grown children and their families. It's hard to raise children; and my husband (a retired Scarsdale school teacher) and I devoted our entire young lives to it, along with assistance from our extended families, including our family matriarch, Esther Flisser who lives in nearby Yonkers at age 95, and my late mother, who lived in Scarsdale until age 98. I came to the USA as an immigrant, and in gratitude for the opportunity I was given here, I have devoted one half of my work to public service, including as a medical volunteer; and in the voluntary positions of Trustee, Fire Commissioner, Police Commissioner, and Mayor of the Village of Scarsdale. I hope to be able to continue in public service as a legislator for Westchester County.
